The figures support McInnes’ frustration. Rangers recorded slightly more than 46% possession across the 120 minutes in the Czech Republic and managed only one attempt on target.
They were successful in fewer than 70% of their 16 tackles and conceded 17 fouls.
The former Hearts manager said he could not tolerate the team losing personal contests, duels and second-ball situations, while also failing to make enough tackles or shift the game’s momentum in their favour.
He felt the players appeared youthful and short of experience at certain moments. Although the club is working to recruit players who can strengthen that area, he insisted the entire team must deliver significantly more.
McInnes admitted Rangers received the outcome their display warranted. While they would naturally have welcomed a penalty-shootout victory, he believed it would merely have disguised the team’s underlying problems.
He said he was deeply embarrassed by the performance, adding that although defeats are part of football, the squad should have possessed enough quality to complete the task that evening.
Before this setback, Rangers had secured consecutive victories, beating St Mirren 5-1 in the League Cup and overcoming Jablonec 1-0 at Ibrox. Those results followed a draw at Dundee United and a home defeat by Hibernian in their first two Premiership fixtures.
However, McInnes believes the latest defeat could disrupt their progress.
He explained that Rangers entered the contest urgently searching for confidence and a positive result. In his view, however, the side that earned qualification was the one that advanced, which he found particularly difficult to accept.
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